Finding Favor

O. T. #1086  "Finding Favor"
Oct. 24, 2017
Esther 2-Part 4
And the king loved Esther above all women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.  Esther 2:17

LET IT GLOW

Much obliged. I used to hear my grandfather use that phrase. He used it in place of thanks. Webster's Dictionary uses it in defining the word  favor. Someone must have found grandpa's favor or approval.

From among hundreds of beautiful young maidens, the king of Persia chose Esther to be his new queen. How could this be? (This gal was probably not older than 20.) After all, she dressed modestly, her year of cosmetic and perfume treatments were no big deal to Esther. She could have chosen whatever clothing and jewelry she wanted for her night with the king. But there was no extravagance with Esther, for she had no driving  ambition to be queen.

I like how Charles Swindoll, n his book Esther, A Woman of Strength and Dignity,  put it:

Esther knew that the hand of God was on her life, and through circumstances and Mordecai's wisdom, she had been brought to this place for a reason. She had her stuff together. She knew where she was coming from. She knew who she was. She knew what she believed. If it was God's pleasure that she be here, if it was part of His plan then she would willingly accept it. If not, she would willingly relinquish it. (Swindoll)

In verse 15, we read that Esther obtained favor in the sight of them that looked upon her. In  the Hebrew language, favor used here means graciousness, kindness or objective beauty; pleasant, precious, well favored.

She had a sweet way about her that everyone liked, from the women in the harem to the king. She was clothed in grace and humility.
Do we have that same spirit?

LET IT GROW

Clearly, Esther's sweet, kind, and loving spirit struck the heart  of King Xerxus  as well as her by, poise, and behavior. What happened next? Look at verse 17:

• The king loved her above all the women.
• Esther obtained grace and favor in his sight more than the other women.
• The king set the royal crown upon her head and made Esther queen instead of Vashti.

The word favor in this verse, checed ( kheh'-sed) means kindness.
Grace is the same Hebrew word, but a  different form, chen (Khane) and meaning.

Mary found favor with God in Luke 1:30.
Jesus increased in favor with God and man according to Luke 2:52.
Grace is used in John 1:17; Romans 3:24 and 5:15.

Do we desire to find God's  favor and grace above all else?

LET IT GO

Show kindness today.
Seek God's favor and grace.